Through a 20-year partnership with community colleges and African American churches in central Virginia, Alliance for Excellence promotes opportunities through education to overcome persistent conditions of economic and social inequities. Participating colleges include:

• Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, VA
• Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, VA
• Danville Community College in Danville, VA
• Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, VA

Specifically, Alliance for Excellence seeks to increase participation in higher education among young people in the African American communities of central Virginia where significant obstacles to economic opportunity remain. Obstacles include:

• The need to get a wage-producing job directly out of high school
• Juggling both work and college
• Ignorance about financial aid opportunities
• Lack of positive role models
• The stress of being a first generation college student
• Ignorance of career opportunities for minorities
• Lack of affordable child care for student who are also parents

We believe that higher education is the key to success in today's society, and collaboration among community colleges and African American churches will foster the leadership skills, social awareness, educational qualifications, and marketability essential for meaningful employment and economic advancement.